Sub Saharan Africa Essay

Words: 955
Pages: 4

HIV/AIDS Epidemic
Sub-Saharan Africa has the most serious HIV and AIDS epidemic in the world, Southern Africa is the worst affected region and is widely regarded as the “epicentre of the global HIV epidemic” (HIV and AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Overview). “HIV attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which help the immune system fight off infections. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infections and disease. Opportunistic infections or cancers take advantage of a very weak immune system and signal that the person has AIDS, the last state of HIV infection”(AIDS.gov). The lack of knowledge on this topic in Africa is the cause of the outrageous numbers of people
…show more content…
Women are contracting this disease because they don't feel strong enough to say no. If HIV education was taught in every school women would see the threat that HIV is to them and would result in having a more substantial reason to stand up to their partners and ask to use protection. “Mission Americas Linda Harvey says that comprehensive sex education is a means to push homosexuality at school and should be eliminated in order to fight HIV/AIDS”(Tashman). Sex education has only one purpose and it is to let people know the dangers of having unprotected sex. “The Lutheran Church School System is the third largest church-run school network in Liberia which has made HIV/AIDS education mandatory in its 40 schools”(AllAfrica). The Lutheran Church School System made HIV mandatory in 40 schools because they believed it was the best decision for the children in the schools. HIV education needs to be mandatory to teach young girls why they should stick up to protect their